Melissa Finkenbiner
Artist and Designer in Tokyo, Japan
The artwork I create is a genuine reflection of the places we live. Moving every few years can be hard, but I never lack inspiration and my art has been a way of exploring and connecting with cultures.
From the time I was a small child in rural Ohio America, people told me I was an artist. That stuck in my head and went down to my core. There was a lot of pressure to be practical with my undergrad and in 2008 I received a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. However, instead of pursuing teaching, I have been focused on creating art. In 2011, my husband and I moved to Myanmar (Burma), and we have lived as expats ever since. We moved from Myanmar to Armenia, Zimbabwe, and now Japan. Living in these diverse places has directed my themes and materials.